Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has announced a major tender for the supply of 116 new double-decker electric trains, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Tender for the Supply of 116 New Double-Decker Electric Trains
Photo: SBB

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has issued an open tender for the purchase of 116 double-decker electric trains, which will be used on the Zurich city rail and in the western part of the country. This project also includes an option for the possible purchase of an additional 84 trains.

The estimated contract value is several billion Swiss francs.

Tender Conditions and Timeline

Potential suppliers must submit applications to participate in the tender by early 2025.

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The winner will be announced by the end of next year, and deliveries of the new trains should be completed by 2039.

The introduction of these trains will significantly renew and improve the current rolling stock, providing more comfortable and efficient passenger service.

Replacement of Old Models and New Routes

Of the 116 ordered trains, 95 will replace the outdated double-decker models DPZ and HVZ-D used on Zurich routes.

The remaining 21 trains will be used on the RER Vaud line centered in Lausanne and on the RE33 Marigny — Annemasse line.

These changes aim to improve passenger service quality on key routes and enhance the region’s transport infrastructure.

Technical Specifications of the New Trains

The new trains will be capable of speeds up to 160 km/h and have a length of 150 meters.

Each train will have a passenger capacity of 500 people.

A feature of these trains will be their fully low-floor design, significantly simplifying boarding and alighting for passengers, including those with reduced mobility.

In addition, the trains will have the capability to operate in multiple unit mode, increasing their flexibility and efficiency on different routes.

Additional Orders and Prospects

Earlier this year, SBB ordered 5 additional high-speed Giruno trains from Stadler, supplementing the 36 previously ordered under the 2014 contract.

These trains will be produced at the Bussnang plant and are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.

SBB continues to actively modernize and expand its fleet of trains, an important step in maintaining a high level of transport service in Switzerland.

The announced tender for the supply of new double-decker electric trains reflects the company’s commitment to implementing modern and efficient solutions to meet the growing needs of passengers.

The new trains are expected to make a significant contribution to improving the railway infrastructure and enhancing the quality of transportation in the country.

Photo: SBB

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